My Pink House by Ewe and Eye and Friends

The past week I worked on an old project that I started around 2000.

These are the before and after pictures of My Pink House from EEF.

Before:

After:

This is a photo of the finished piece that I found at The Pampered Stitcher at etsy:

I’m thinking that this might have been one of the Black Sheep kits that were sold by Ewe and Eye and Friends in their store. The fabric is a hand dyed 35 count linen, threads are DMC. I think this is such a sweet sampler but for some reason I can’t stick with it. I fixed the placement of letter ‘g’, added a dividing band and started the last section of the alphabet. Back in the box until??

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Star Wars Stitching

For the past few weeks I have been busy stitching a series of Star Wars themed ornaments from dinosaurspaceshop on etsy.

These come out great and are another fun and easy stitch. There are six patterns but I stitched the death star twice, I didn’t plan on doing that but…. when I started this project I did not reference the color photo and made the assumption that the darkest color in the design was also the darkest symbol. Not exactly, but I do like having a light and a dark version. I also changed colors on the light death star since my dyelot of DMC 3023 was much lighter than the color card, I simply made each successive color a bit darker and am pleased with the contrast. They are all stitched on 28 count ivory jubilee with DMC, 2 over 2.

I plan to to finish them in 3″ hoops. I was unable to find the 3″ size locally (Joann and Hobby Lobby) and found the perfect hoops online.

I am amazed with the quality and price of the hoops. They are by far the smoothest I have seen without spending alot – 12 for $10. You can find them here.

Mew Mew aka Mjölnir Stitching

I just put the final stitches in on “Mew Mew” – it came out great! Next step will be to go to the craft store to find ribbon to wrap the 4″ wooden hoop. I also need to decide how to back the cross stitch and complete the finishing.

Next up …. another small project … or … a sampler … or …

Mew Mew – The Hammer of Thor in Cross Stitch

My latest project was a gift from my daughter – Mew Mew, what fun!

Mew Mew in progress as of 16 March 2019

This is my progress after a few days (slow stitcher, remember!). I am stitching the piece two over two on 28 count ivory jubilee. The design is 44 by 27 and will fit into a 4 inch round frame that I intend to finish in way similar to the designer.

Image from Unexpected Hobby at etsy

Christmas Cookies Cross Stitch is Finished

I did it! I was hoping to finish the stitching on this fun piece before February was over and I put in the final stitches last night (February 28). It is my first cross stitch finish since my shoulder got mad at me in October 2017.

This was stitched on 40 count linen one over two using DMC. If it looks like the photo has distorted the piece, maybe …. but …. turns out the linen is not a true evenweave. The finished stitched size is about 3.75 inches by 4 inches – the design size is 81 x 81 stitches.

The lesson learned is that the next time I am stitching something that the finished size is a true square, I will check the fabric in both directions.

Oh My Gosh! I Am Stitching!!

It is well established that I am a remarkably slow stitcher. I am hoping that I will complete the stitching on this super cute piece “Christmas Cookies” by the end of February.

I truly enjoy stitching with a single color and this piece is just plain fun.

Stitch, Stitch and Stitch….

Things are improving with my shoulder. Now to keep that going in the right direction.

It seems that my shoulder happy place is with cross stitch. Knitting is still a challenge, needlepoint is ok but cross stitch is good.

I have been working on this cute piece…

This is Christmas Cookies by Mary Garry’s Sewing Cabin. Stitching is on 40 count linen, one over two with dmc 221.

My stitching time is currently limited, I am stitching for about 10-15 minutes then I break for a minimum of one hour.

New Year, New Projects…

For the first time ever, a post that I made has gone missing. If it seems I am repeating myself then I probably am.

I hope this will be a year with some crafty time.  My right shoulder surgery is healing. The rotator cuff repair is great, the bicep repair not so much.  It was irritated by over use, pushing to hard at physical therapy both in the studio and at home.  I have been trying to hold back and every time I think I am doing well, I seem to do “something” that totally makes it mad.  The left shoulder repair will probably be in early February.  I will be a mess for a couple of weeks, but if the left rotator is ok (as it appears on the mri) I could be in fairly good shape by summer.

Since I am unable to craft, I keep watching all of the fun projects that others are working on and continue to be inspired.  That means a project list for 2019!!

The top 2019 projects are:

1. Make a child/baby quilt for our newest niece, Lulu.
2. Sew one set of Bucilla felt Christmas ornaments. (and maybe a stocking)
3. Finish the small knit throw started last year with Mandela yarn.
4. Make progress on my needlepoint elephant by TS.
5. Start the creation series of needlepoint projects by Ehrman.
6. Work on small cross stitch project finishing.
7. Kit and start either, Houses of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings  (or other HRH sampler that calls to me) OR And They Sinned by Examplar Dames

I have high hopes!!

I hope the new year is happy and healthy for all.  Thank you for looking at my blog!

 

Knitting Washclothes

This wonderful washcloth is being knit by my daughter – her first! The pattern is a corner to corner called “the no holes knit washcloth” by Beverley at The Make Your Own Zone and you can find the pattern here. The pattern uses a reverse yarn over to create a nice variation of the classic pattern.

Her stitching is lovely and the washcloth is super soft since she is using Bamboo Soft yarn by Rowan, unfortunately it has been discontinued.

Looking forward to giving this pattern a try!

Moisturizers for Stitching

Winter is coming and that always means much drier skin. For stitchers and knitters dry skin can cause threads to snag – especially silks and synthetics.  For quilters handling fabrics causes dry hands to be even drier.

For needleworkers it is always a good idea to pay attention to your choice of moisturizer.  I want a moisturizer to feel like I have nothing on my hands and I prefer it to be unscented.  As a needleworker it is important to know that my lotion is not going to damage my work.  Unless the lotion (or cream) has been tested there is absolutely no way to know if one (or more) of the ingredients will cause the dyes to release and bleed.  Also, it is important to know that the moisturizer will not stain fabric or thread.

My “favorite” stitching lotion is actually a rotation of a few products.

• Stitchers Lotion has been available for several years and is carried in most needlework shops and online.  I keep the small one in my stitching bag and the bigger one in my stitching room.  The unscented is really unscented!!
  

                    Stitchers Lotion from Yarn Tree – photo from Yarn Tree website

• LaviShea Lotion Bar has also been around for a while, I have bought these at my needlework store and amazon. I like this since I can’t spill.  I tend to use this when I am quilting.
  

                          LaviShea Unscented Lotion Bar – photo from LaviShea website

• Au ver a soie hand cream is from the maker of the lovely silks from France.  I have not been able to find this recently and am not sure it is still available.  If you are lucky enough to find some, buy it.
                               Au Ver A Soie hand cream – photo from this website
• Acid Mantle hand cream from Doak Pharmaceuticals – this product has evolved over the years (aka A-Mantle).  I do not know if this amazing cream is still available because the current price of this jar is ridiculous ($599.95 with free shipping as of 11/18/18). My last purchase was about $30 for a 4 oz jar.
  

                                        Acid Mantle Cream – photo from amazon